Dress for a Winery Wedding

[apoppy]

I'm going to a 4:30 wedding at a winery in Napa in May. From all indications, this will be a fairly upscale affair, but still with a California vibe.

I'm thinking of something knee-length, with a full skirt. I'm of average height and weight, and I have an hourglass figure. Any suggestions?

I keep second-guessing my choices because I am not so sure how to dress for an out-of-doors California-formal wedding. Help!

[villanelle75]

At all outside CA weddings I've been too (including 1 at a winery), people have worn cocktail dresses--some long and most short.

I don't have aq ton of time to search, but something like this (http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=2083697495&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1215&N=1123&Ne=500000&Ns=Popularity%7c0%7c%7cProduct%2bCode%7c1&Nu=Product+ID) would work just fine. It's short so that keeps it from being overly formal, but the satin makes it dressier.

[Shapsgrl]

I think any pretty cocktail dress would work. I probably would not wear anything long, or too formal.

[Suzlywoozly]

I have been to several late afternoon weddings in Napa and I would agree with Shapsgrl that you don't want anything too formal or long. I would go with something like a little black dress.

[semily24]

I went to a wedding in Napa last summer and wore a knee-length brown satin cocktail dress. I would definitely go with something short, but dressier than a cotton sundress.

[apoppy]

Okay, great. You've all been reinforcing what I've been thinking -- the cocktail dress is the way to go.

Now to find something that will pack well...

[LRL]

Yup, definitely agree with the cocktail dress- mid length for a winery wedding. I would opt for lighter fabric if it will be during the day wedding/reception because it can get pretty hot.

[Mandos*Bella]

Not sure what you are looking to spend, but here are a few options I would select (I do a bit of styling on the side :) ):

http://www.edressme.com/mmcd172bk.html
http://www.edressme.com/4586-l.html#
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=dresses&product%5Fid=2048410098&Page=5&cookie%5Ftest=1
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=dresses&product%5Fid=2049676749&Page=1
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=281822&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=EverGreen
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=288340&CategoryID=35051&LinkType=EverGreen

Mostly black, not sure if you wanted a different color. :D Good luck!

[apoppy]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I found these at Nordstrom --

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a359/apoppy/_5499367.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a359/apoppy/_5554348.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a359/apoppy/_5459130.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a359/apoppy/_5421995.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a359/apoppy/_5597696.jpg

I'm not sure if I want to wear black, although a black dress is probably more practical. I really like the shape of the plum dress, but it might be too wintery.

[Mandos*Bella]

You could warm up the plum dress with amber or orange-y colors or golds. It's a gorgeous and classy look, without taking attention away from the bride. ;)

[Suzlywoozly]

What winery is this at?

[apoppy]

Funny that you should ask...

The groom keeps referring to it as a winery, so I took his word for it. I really should have known better and looked it up as soon as he told us the location. :rolleyes: It will actually be at a resort, Meadowood (http://www.meadowood.com/).

Despite the miscommunication, I think the type of dress should probably stay the same. I know that an outdoor ceremony is planned and if the tone they want is winery, even if the reality is resort, then I am willing to go with that.

[Michelle]

Yes, it would definitely be the same type of attire. I like all of the dresses you posted!

Not to detour from the current topic at hand but I just clicked over to that website and you have to promise me that you will take and post a lot of pictures. That place looks gorgous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[phoenics]

I love the blue one!

ETA: Oh and Meadowood is gorgeous - you'll love it there.

[Suzlywoozly]

I have been to Meadowood and it is beautiful there! Any of the dresses you picked will be perfect :)

[Jennifer]

First I was coming to say I had a napa winery wedding - and a short cocktail type dress is totally appropriate - and agree that it would also be perfect for Meadowood! I think any of the dresses you posted (or things in a similiar vein) would be perfect! Have fun - Meadowood is gorgeous! Hope you are going to spend a couple days up in wine country while you are out for the wedding :)

[villanelle75]

I love that cobalt dress! I think any of them would work, although I avoid wearing black to weddings because I know some people frown on it, so I wouldn't go with that one, especailly with all the other great choices.

[wendalah]

I had a 5 p.m. outdoor Malibu Canyon wedding in June. All of the dresses you posted look fine to me.